Cornwall Council, still own the embankment where nine buildings once stood. The buildings were compulsory purchased by the Council in the late 1950s and then demolished in order to widen the road and allow HGV traffic to transport stone from Penlee Quarry just down the road.
This 1937 Compulsory Order map with the site of the buildings bounded in orange shows just how narrow the road was at this point – hence this part of Fore Street is known locally as the ‘narrows’ – and in the same way the entrance to the harbour is known locally as the ‘gaps’ – a plural is used when there is only one narrow!
This aerial view of the old harbour clearly shows where the buildings were before being demolished and just how narrow the road was between the cottages on either side of Fore Street. There is no Fishermen’s Rest on the Old Quay which was built in 1967. The harbour wall had also been faced with granite when this was taken.
Looking across the access road to Parodi’s Store which was one of nine buildings in this area. Some of the stone from these walls were recycled and used to rebuild the walls that now contain the embankment. The only remaining section of the wall from all of these buildings is on the corner as in the image below.
Council workers have finally cleared away the undergrowth that swallowed up the grassy bank over the last few years, uncovering a brilliant spot to sit and take in the harbour views. Plans are also in motion to extend the flat, accessible section, giving people even more room to enjoy the scenery. There is even talk of setting up permanent easels around the site. It is a great idea that encourages today’s artists to paint the busy port, keeping the 1880s Newlyn School tradition alive.
More good news this week as local councillor Thalia Marrington stepped in and promptly had the handrail and fence repaired at the top access area to the Red Lion slip.
Reminiscent of an episode of the Repair Shop, the light at the end of the Old Quay is now back in place and full working again. The light was de-commissioned in 2023 and is no longer recognised as an official navigation aid. However, it as stood at the end of the quay for well over 100 years and now has a new electricity supply where once it was powered by carbide and a member of the harbour staff had the job of ensuring it was lit every evening.
